Using mobile app in simulations

As noted in the iMedicalApps blog, researchers in the UK wanted to test whether a mobile app designed to educate health care providers on advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocols would improve performance in simulated emergencies. Low, Clark, Soar, et al (2011) performed a randomized control trial using the iResus app, and recently published their findings in the journal Anaesthesia.

Their conclusion? “iResus improved junior doctors’ CASTest scores during a standardised simulated cardiac arrest scenario when compared with those applying purely their own knowledge and experience.” In addition, participants “stated that the iResus ‘app’ was easy to use, increased their confidence in making decisions, and that they would be prepared to use it in real clinical emergencies. From their own perspective, they did not think using such an ‘app’ would be unprofessional or indicate poor training.”

The iResus medical app is free in the iTunes store. iMedicalApps has a review of the app itself with plenty of screen shots to see what it looks like and how it works.